The fight for the top spot in The State’s weekly Heisman Trophy poll is tightening up.

Despite a bye week for Texas A&M, quarterback Johnny Manziel stayed in first for the fourth consecutive week among the panel’s 13 Heisman voters.

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota closed the gap considerably with strong performances in blowout wins for their teams. Quarterbacks hold down six of the top seven spots.

USC defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who began the season as the favorite, dropped out of the poll for the first time after not playing against Kentucky.